Thursday, January 13

Introducing! {Justice Hermela}

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Justice Hermela Mathews

First of all, I apologize that it has taken me over 2 months to post. While we were in Ethiopia, Blogger didn’t work at all (I was there with Justice for 6 weeks!) and since we have been home…well, we have been super busy falling into what I fondly call “Our new normal”. 

All that to say…. (and better late than never)

We are super excited and proud (more than words could possibly describe) to announce the LONG AWAITED arrival of our Daughter...... Justice Hermela Mathews!  She is 25+ lbs of energy and love and fun…spunky, smart, beautiful! And did I mention spunky?

Justice is everything we dreamed she would be (and MORE!) And while we have had some behavior challenges (which are to be expected) she has adjusted quickly her new American lifestyle. 

She is learning English VERY quickly (so smart!),  loves Barney, Dora, and Elmo, she sleeps through the night in her own bed and LOVES to eat, (although we are still working on those pesky fruits and vegetables!)  She loves her dogs (which we were worried about) and going “car bye-bye” to the mall, the park, the gym…wherever...She loves to go!

I have half way completed her little video featuring pictures we received while waiting, pictures taken while in Ethiopia and a few of the first shots taken at home which I promise to post very soon.

I will also be blogging about the final steps of our adoption journey (which was full of challenges) and of course, about the life changing 6 weeks I spent in Addis Ababa.

Saturday, December 11

Our Timeline {2 Years and 11 days}

12.11.10: Travel Home!
12.09.10:
Embassy
11.09.10:
GOTCHA DAY!!
11.09.10:
PASS! She is ours!
11.02.10:
Court (did not pass)
10.30.10:
Travel
10.29.10:
MOWA (drama...)
10.13.10:
Update CIS Fingerprints
10.05.10:
New Dates: 10/29 & 11/2)
09.30.10:
DID NOT PASS MOWA!
09.01.10: Travel Shots
07.14.10: COURT DATE!! (9/30 & 10/12)
06.24.10: REFERRAL!!!!
10.15.09: WAIT LIST!
10.10.09: CIS Approval!
08.21.09: CIS Appointment
07.10.09: Gladney Approved!
06.15.09: More Paperchasing!
06.11.09: Last Piece to Gladney
06.01.09: Dossier to KBS
06.01.09: Home Study Revisions
05.15.09: FBI Clearance!
05.13.09: Home Study Complete
05.12.09: Dossier in Process...
04.29.09: Gladney Packet #3
04.29.09: Request FBI Clearance
04.29.09: Fingerprints (FBI)
04.28.09: Hague Training
04.24.09: I-600A Receipt
04.23.09: Kyle Physical
04.16.09: Ordered Hague DVD'S
04.15.09: Jordan Physical
04.14.09: Christine Physical
04.13.09: Dogs & Cat Shots
04.10.09: I-600A Sent
04.03.09: Jeff Physical
04.01.09: Gladney Paperwork
02.02.09: Doc Drama: Check!
12.30.08: Document Drama
12.20.08: Ordered Documents
12.16.08: Gladney Application
12.15.08: Phone Orientation
12.05.08: Ready-set-go!

Sunday, October 17

Dog Wash! {Fundraiser}


We are having a charity dog wash on Sunday, October 24th from 1-4pm at Dogtopia-Waco.  All donations benefit our travel costs to Ethiopia, Africa! (we hope to travel Oct 30th!)

  • Dog Baths- Baths include: a brush-out, shampoo & dry.
    A $10 donation is suggested per wash.
  • Bake Sale- Purchase yummy treats for you & your favorite K-9!